Canadese dierenrechtenorganisatie haalt mishandelde honden uit overvolle asiels in Beiroet (Libanon) - Oren bij honden afgesneden

Ottawa animal group saves dogs from Lebanon

21-02-2010 CBC News Ottawa, Canada


An Ottawa-based dog rescue group went global in its effort to save abandoned pets by rescuing some shelter dogs from Beirut. Volunteers with Hopeful Hearts, a non-profit organization created in 2007, arranged to fly four shelter dogs to Ottawa last month after they heard reports of abuse in Lebanon's animal pounds.

They heard allegations that the dogs often had their ears cut off, supposedly to turn them into aggressive guard dogs.

Laurie Martin, a member of the dog rescue group, said she wanted to help save the animals from the overcrowded pounds.

"It does make me feel good to know that I have helped these particular dogs who otherwise probably would have lived their whole lives in a shelter, living in a kennel, sleeping on a cold cement floor their entire lives," Martin said.

The dogs arrived and the group set them up with adoptive homes. The animals have settled well in their new country, owners are saying.

Piet Masone adopted Stella, a border collie mix who's missing her ears. Masone said it wasn't the backdrop of the story that inspired her to adopt, it was the dog itself.
"We just love the dog. She walked into our house, hopped up on the couch and just sort of said, 'This is my house.'"

Hopeful Hearts said it hopes to bring more dogs in from Lebanon as an annual charity event. The group said the demand is sufficient, but that local stray animals remain its top priority.

The group has placed nearly 200 dogs with adoptive owners since it was founded.

(Bron: http://www.cbc.ca/)